Outreach, Research & Education

At the CORE of impactful community outcomes

PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research & Education is unique. Our commitment is to be a trusted resource to help communities turn research into practice in order to positively impact play and recreation outcomes across every community.

Our mission and purpose is building communities through play and recreation. Our passion is learning and collaborating with leaders and scholars to study play and recreation, and to share knowledge that positively advances diverse community needs.

The Center for Outreach, Research, and Education is the CORE of PlayCore. We live our mission of Building Communities through Play by investing in and advancing our scientific understanding of play and recreation in order to expand resources and educational services that stimulate play and recreation outcomes across communities. We concentrate our work around four pillars that form the foundation of our impact and advocacy efforts.

Research

Partnering with an unequalled network of world-renowned scholars, we develop research that validates the value of play and recreation across a variety of disciplines and topics. This commitment to data-driven knowledge informs all of our outreach resources and services.

Evidence-Based Resources

Utilizing research findings, we provide a robust library of resources to help communities implement best practices for planning and design, curriculum and programming, advocacy, and community impact initiatives.

Advocacy & Impact

From assisting with master planning to recognizing communities for projects of excellence that adhere to scholarly best practices, we act as community advocates to connect stakeholders, propel innovative projects, and impact community outcomes.

What people are saying

The innovative vision of PlayCore’s program is amazing and speaks volumes to the compassion and commitment the PlayCore family has to effecting real change in the lives of people and communities across the country.

Your team absolutely blew me away. Your passion has inspired me; your expertise about the field of play and how it benefits communities and your genuine care for everyone demonstrates your devotion to creating relationships,

Kevin Bright, Community Services Manager, City of Lakewood, CA

Thank you again for all you did to make the processa wonderful experience for the young ladies working on the playground redesign. We never expected the level of involvement you all provided. We truly appreciate all the time and effort you put into making this a real world experience for all.

On behalf of The Family Place, I thank you all for the time, energy, expertise and imagination that you put into our playground! This design is epic and will always be remembered by the children and families who have the opportunity to enjoy it!

I recognize the strong investment to which PlayCore has made in providing play opportunities across our country. The company has contributed applicable research to the recreation profession and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Valarie Frost Assistant Director, Recreation and Community Services City of Lakewood, CA